Getting Into the Christmas Mood

So here we are. Christmas is done, the New Year's celebrations are over. This week I'll probably take down the tree. (It's artificial, so it's not too time-sensitive.) There's a wreath out front, and some lights in the upstairs windows. I've promised myself I'll put everything back where it belongs and not just in a heap in the basement.

But wait a minute. I don't remember really having that super-duper Christmas spirit. Naturally, part of that is due to the loss of my father. I couldn't get motivated to do a lot of my last-minute high-pressure shopping and decorating that usually get me psyched. But I should have already been jolly well before then anyway.

I think it's due, in part, to the fact that I'm not going to a job every day. In past years, I've decorated my office. Some may call it cheesy. I call it personal style. And if it made my colleagues chuckle, then my work there was done. I've got about two dozen sets of Christmas earrings. Santa trolls, miniature ornaments, jingly bells...a different daily pair for several weeks leading up to the holiday. Add a few seasonal sweatshirts for the final countdown and I'm a regular ghost of Christmas present. But this year, most of the earrings went unworn. Just couldn't see wearing them if I wasn't leaving the house. It didn't help, either, that the local radio station that used to play Christmas music 24/7 starting at Thanksgiving changed formats. I played a few CDs at home, but I didn't have that guaranteed Jingle Bell Rock fix every time I got into the car.

This may mean that I need to make a resolution for the new year. Regardless of my daily schedule and location, I must try to do what I like to do for holidays. I honestly enjoy sprucing things up as the seasons change and holidays approach. I've got window clings and and decorative flags and earrings for just about every celebratory occasion. Why not use them? If they make me smile, that might make my family smile. And although my motives are far from being altruistic, the chance to spread a little cheer is a bonus.

I missed the boat a bit last year. But gosh darn it...I'm going to adorn, bedeck, and festoon my personal space like crazy whenever I can in 2011.

Anybody know where I can get a stuffed groundhog in the next few weeks? Shadow is optional...